Way back at the beginning of this blog, I posted the Bob Newhart youtube sketch that pokes fun at counseling, and I titled it "How NOT to Counsel". I love the sketch, it is so funny!! But this is the first response to it by a Biblical Counselor that I have come across that is so well stated. Take a look at the sketch (and be prepared to chuckle!), then read this excellent blog post by David Powlison, a counselor I highly respect and appreciate.
David Powlison on Bob Newhart’s "Stop It!" Sketch
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Romans 15:4 (New International Version, ©2011) "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope".
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
God is GOOD
In response to the tragedy in Haiti:
My family, like yours, is unable to express or put in to words how we are reacting to the tragic earthquake in Haiti this week. But one thing we do know for certain: God is good. He always was, always is, and always will be GOOD.
God is our Healer, Comforter, Provider, and Protector. The Haitian people need to know this. Pray for them continually, for their spiritual wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and emotional wellbeing.
Do not despair. Instead, SERVE. Help the people of Haiti. Here are some reliable organizations to donate to:
Compassion International’s Disaster Relief Fund
Samaritan’s Purse Haiti Relief
American Red Cross
Sacrifice. Your money, your time, your abilities. We are so spoiled in America and we have so much. The people suffering in Haiti have so little. Let’s get a proper perspective and sacrifice for Christ’s sake and so that He may reveal Himself to the Haitian people.
You can donate, pray fervently and often, and get creative about helping in other ways. These needs will be present for a very long time to come. Let’s not forget Haiti.
Be grateful. Not in a selfish sense that says “Lord thank you that I was not there”, or “Lord thank you that I do not have to suffer a terrible tragedy like that”. No, instead be grateful that God is sovereign!! And be grateful that He keeps His promises to us. And that His love is pure, and that He purely loves the people of Haiti.
Yes, the suffering is too much to get our heads around. There are no words, really. But…….GOD IS GOOD. Lord, come swiftly.
Psalm 3:3 “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”
My family, like yours, is unable to express or put in to words how we are reacting to the tragic earthquake in Haiti this week. But one thing we do know for certain: God is good. He always was, always is, and always will be GOOD.
God is our Healer, Comforter, Provider, and Protector. The Haitian people need to know this. Pray for them continually, for their spiritual wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and emotional wellbeing.
Do not despair. Instead, SERVE. Help the people of Haiti. Here are some reliable organizations to donate to:
Compassion International’s Disaster Relief Fund
Samaritan’s Purse Haiti Relief
American Red Cross
Sacrifice. Your money, your time, your abilities. We are so spoiled in America and we have so much. The people suffering in Haiti have so little. Let’s get a proper perspective and sacrifice for Christ’s sake and so that He may reveal Himself to the Haitian people.
You can donate, pray fervently and often, and get creative about helping in other ways. These needs will be present for a very long time to come. Let’s not forget Haiti.
Be grateful. Not in a selfish sense that says “Lord thank you that I was not there”, or “Lord thank you that I do not have to suffer a terrible tragedy like that”. No, instead be grateful that God is sovereign!! And be grateful that He keeps His promises to us. And that His love is pure, and that He purely loves the people of Haiti.
Yes, the suffering is too much to get our heads around. There are no words, really. But…….GOD IS GOOD. Lord, come swiftly.
Psalm 3:3 “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Happy New Year of Bible Reading! 2 Timothy 3:16!!!!!
I've been collecting these notes from other blogs I read, and here and there. Thought I'd compile them and share with you --consider it a challenge to make 2010 a year of Bible reading for you!!!
Reasons for reading large portions of Scripture often:
1. If God made sure his words were recorded for us, why wouldn’t you want to read all of them numerous times?
2. Reading large portions of Scripture regularly slows you down so you can think about life from an eternal perspective.
3. In daily life, we are constantly bombarded with images, philosophies, thoughts, reasonings, and attractions from the world, our flesh, and the devil. We need large quantities of God’s thoughts, empowered by his Spirit, to resist them.
4. We trust our own thoughts too much.
5. Each time you read through the Bible, you are humbled as you realize how little you actually know and understand God’s Word.
6. Reading a lot of the Bible helps you more easily see how it all fits together.
Some facts about the Bible:
This is my Bible.
I am who it says I am. Matthew 5:16
I can do what it says I can do. Philippians 4:13
I am going where it says I will go. John 14:3
God’s Word is milk for my soul. 1 Peter 2:2
God’s Word is seed for my faith. Luke 8:11
God’s Word is light for my path. Psalm 119:105
God’s Word is power for my victory. Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word is freedom for my life. John 8:32
When I read God’s Word it brings me joy. Jeremiah 15:16
When I study God’s Word, it keeps me from shame. 2 Timothy 2:15
When I memorize God’s Word, it purifies my heart. Psalm 119:11
When I quote God’s Word, it defeats my enemies. Ephesians 6:10, 17
When I meditate on God’s Word, it brings me success. Joshua 1:8
When I abide in God’s Word, it gives me confidence. John 15:7
If you would like to read the Bible in chronological order, look at this website:
http://www.bibleinayear.org/chrono_Sched.asp
An idea for starting a journal:
Write down the things that you are anticipating that God might do in your life over the next year or so. Consider what your hearts desires are and what you think God is challenging you with, and come up with a list of expectations. Don’t write them down as a request but rather as an affirmation statement - as if there are already done.
Then write a prayer something like this “Please do these things Lord…..or do something better!”
When you reflect back on this journal in a year or later, you will see that God has done these things….or something better!!
God's Word is LIFE to us. Join me this year in reading it OFTEN!!!
Happy New Year!
Reasons for reading large portions of Scripture often:
1. If God made sure his words were recorded for us, why wouldn’t you want to read all of them numerous times?
2. Reading large portions of Scripture regularly slows you down so you can think about life from an eternal perspective.
3. In daily life, we are constantly bombarded with images, philosophies, thoughts, reasonings, and attractions from the world, our flesh, and the devil. We need large quantities of God’s thoughts, empowered by his Spirit, to resist them.
4. We trust our own thoughts too much.
5. Each time you read through the Bible, you are humbled as you realize how little you actually know and understand God’s Word.
6. Reading a lot of the Bible helps you more easily see how it all fits together.
Some facts about the Bible:
This is my Bible.
I am who it says I am. Matthew 5:16
I can do what it says I can do. Philippians 4:13
I am going where it says I will go. John 14:3
God’s Word is milk for my soul. 1 Peter 2:2
God’s Word is seed for my faith. Luke 8:11
God’s Word is light for my path. Psalm 119:105
God’s Word is power for my victory. Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word is freedom for my life. John 8:32
When I read God’s Word it brings me joy. Jeremiah 15:16
When I study God’s Word, it keeps me from shame. 2 Timothy 2:15
When I memorize God’s Word, it purifies my heart. Psalm 119:11
When I quote God’s Word, it defeats my enemies. Ephesians 6:10, 17
When I meditate on God’s Word, it brings me success. Joshua 1:8
When I abide in God’s Word, it gives me confidence. John 15:7
If you would like to read the Bible in chronological order, look at this website:
http://www.bibleinayear.org/chrono_Sched.asp
An idea for starting a journal:
Write down the things that you are anticipating that God might do in your life over the next year or so. Consider what your hearts desires are and what you think God is challenging you with, and come up with a list of expectations. Don’t write them down as a request but rather as an affirmation statement - as if there are already done.
Then write a prayer something like this “Please do these things Lord…..or do something better!”
When you reflect back on this journal in a year or later, you will see that God has done these things….or something better!!
God's Word is LIFE to us. Join me this year in reading it OFTEN!!!
Happy New Year!
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